CO (a{sup 3}Π) quenching at a metal surface: Evidence of an electron transfer mediated mechanism

Journal Article · Mon Jul 28 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Journal of Chemical Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4887777· OSTI ID:22419959

Grätz, Fabian ^[1]; Engelhart, Daniel P.; Wagner, Roman J. V.; Wodtke, Alec M.; Schäfer, Tim ^[1]; Meijer, Gerard ^[2]

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1. Max-Planck-Institut Für Biophysikalische Chemie, Karl Friedrich-Bonhoeffer-Institut, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen (Germany)
2. Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Abteilung Molekülphysik, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin (Germany)

We observe a strong influence of molecular vibration and surface temperature on electron emission promoted by the de-excitation of metastable CO(a{sup 3}Π) on a clean Au(111) surface using a molecular beam surface scattering apparatus. The de-excitation is independent of incidence translational energy. These observations appear incompatible with existing theories of metastable particle de-excitation on metal surfaces, which are based on the Auger effect. Instead, they strongly suggest a mechanism involving formation of a transient anion whose lifetime is similar to the vibrational period of the CO molecule.

• OSTI ID: 22419959
• Journal Information: Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol. 141, Issue 4; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-9606
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ANIONS
AUGER EFFECT
CARBON MONOXIDE
DE-EXCITATION
ELECTRON EMISSION
METALS
MOLECULAR BEAMS
MOLECULES
PARTICLES
QUENCHING
SCATTERING
SURFACES